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Tag: Information and Broadcasting Ministry

  • Arasu seeks more time to go digital as it waits for STBs

    NEW DELHI: Even as the deadline for it to go digital concludes tomorrow, the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation has sought more time from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

    The Ministry had given the state-owned multi-system operator three months to switch off analogue and later extended this till 17 August 2017.

    TACTV sources told indiantelevision.com that orders had been placed for an adequate number of digital set top boxes but these had still not been received.

    Simultaneously, the sources said they had sought time from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for launch of digital signals.

    The Principal Secretary to the state Government had sought thee months extension from 17 July but the centre agreed to give only one more month in a letter sent to TACTV dated 21 June 2017.

    Consequently, TACTV had been asked to complete the digitization process by 17 August 2017 failing which the provisional ‘registration may be suspended/revoked.’

    Copies of the letter were sent to the Principal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu IT Department, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and the Commissioner/Superintendent of Police in Chennai.  

    Meanwhile, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma had said that as the Authority’s recommendations for not permitting state governments, political parties or religious groups into broadcasting or its distribution was still ‘under consideration’, it could only wait and watch.

    Meanwhile while the Punjab government has also expressed a desire to enter distribution, the Telengana government wants satellite transpoders for TV channels it wants to launch.

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  • I-Day: Carry DD News with sign interpretation, channels advised

    NEW DELHI: All television channels have been asked to carry the signals of Doordarshan News/DD Bharati with sign language interpretation for the benefit of differently-abled persons and make the event accessible to them.

    Doordarshan News/DD Bharati channels will carry the sign language interpretation of the event to provide access to the people with hearing impairment. 

    The information and broadcasting ministry said that DD News / DD Bharati will let private satellite TV channels carry the feed of this event free of cost, if they wish to carry the same telecast.

    In advisory issued on Monday, the ministry said it has been getting requests from members of the civil society to facilitate access to the people with hearing impairment to the telecast of the Independence Day.

    Ceremony/commentary accompanied with sign language interpretation on TV channels so that such people can be a part of this glorious ceremony on this important national Day.

    The advisory noted that the media has always been in the forefront to take up such important issues concerning national integration, unity and patriotism, etc.

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  • Talent shortage in Prasar, manpower audit under way, admits Irani

    NEW DELHI: Admitting there was an overall shortage of talent in Prasar Bharati, minister of information and broadcasting Smriti Zubin Irani said a manpower audit was in progress in this regard by the pubcaster.

    Answering a question in the Parliament, she said several sanctioned posts were lying vacant. She said that audit being done on the recommendation of the Sam Pitroda Committee report, was expected to be completed during 2017-18.

    Earlier this year, a Parliamentary Committee had said that minimal action had been taken on the report submitted in February 2014 to revitalize Prasar Bharati.

    The Committee also noted that the Department of Expenditure has expressed inability to undertake the work of man power audit despite assurances in reply to several questions in Parliament.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to I and B Ministry recommended that the terms for reference for conduct of manpower audit be worked out and the manpower audit which is critical to both All India Radio and Doordarshan completed within the current financial year 2017-18 as assured to the Committee.

    It noted that the Ministry had asked Prasar Bharati to prepare an action plan on the 26 recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee.

    The Parliamentary Committee expressed concern that ‘there is no progress in the issue of man power audit’.

    When Prasar Bharati was suggested to explore the feasibility of manpower audit through some reputed public/private agencies, the Internal Finance Division advised for pre-determination of terms of reference for conduct of manpower audit before inviting quotations from reputed audit organization.

    But the Committee noted that Prasar Bharati was yet to take a decision in the matter. “The Committee need not emphasise that manpower related issues have time and again affected the efficiency and performance of the organization. Prasar Bharati in order to achieve its vision and compete with private broadcasters needs to attract, retain and develop talent in the organization. It needs to respond to changing market conditions and make an assessment of its manpower requirement to overcome the competency gaps”, the Committee said.

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  • Rs-500m film digitisation, sound restoration & software RFPs to be floated in ’17-18

    NEW DELHI: Noting that substantial under-utilisation of funds under the National Film Heritage Mission has reflected in the overall idling of fund in the film sector as a whole during 2016-17, a Parliamentary Committee has asked the information and broadcasting ministry to ensure optimal utilisation of funds during the year 2017-18.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which also examines issues relating to MIB, stated that special care should be taken to ensure that realistic assessments are made to achieve the physical targets under the scheme so that unhindered implementation takes place in this important activity of the Ministry.

    Expressed concern that even though the Scheme was approved in November 2014, the project had not kicked off due to procedural delay, the Committee asked the Ministry to ensure that the envisaged physical targets are achieved giving a real boost to the proliferation of activities under the Film Sector.

    When questioned, the Ministry informed the Committee that at the commencement of the Plan Scheme, it was assumed that the executive agency for the works like film condition assessment of film reels, preservation, conservation of film reels, and digitization of film reels would be in place during 2016-17.

    However, the fund allocation under this Scheme was downsized at budget and revised estimate stages (2016-17) to Rs 300 million and Rs160 million, respectively.

    The Ministry said there was delay in selection of implementing agency and signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the proposed implementing agency due to service charge issue.

    It was informed that major RFPs (request for proposals) for preventive conservation of film reels, digitization of films, 2K/4K picture and sound restoration of landmark feature films and short films, end-to-end IT software, CCTV implementation, etc. are proposed to be floated during 2017-18 for which an allocation of Rs 500 million has been made.

    The Scheme of National Film Heritage Mission aims at restoring films of historical, cultural and aesthetic value and construct archival and preservation facilities.

    It envisages restoration of 1200 feature films and around 1600 short films apart from preventive conservation of more than 1,00,000 film reels and creation of additional storage facilities.

  • Cannes delegates apprised of opportunities in Indian film industry

    NEW DELHI: India has invited some masters of world cinema to conduct master classes and workshops in Film Bazaar at the International Film Festival of India in Goa in November and visit different locations in India.

    Addressing foreign and Indian delegates to the India Pavilion at Cannes, Information and Broadcasting Ministry Joint Secretary (Films) Ashok Parmar said this was “in sync with our Film in India initiative under the aegis of the Film Facilitation Office. We also had the opportunity to speak about international collaboration between talent and co-creation of content since we have signed co-production treaties with several countries.”

    He said the meeting with the various delegates enabled the Ministry to introduce internationally celebrated filmmakers to IFFI, which is in its 48th year and thus showcases the latest critically acclaimed films. “We would be delighted to have these eminent personalities”, he added

    He went on to inform the filmmakers that setting up of the National Centre of Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects in Mumbai and a new Film and Television Institute in the North Eastern State of Arunachal Pradesh will enhance the skill of the film sector.

    The delegates were informed of the Ministry’s ambitious National Film Heritage Mission through the National Film Archives based in Pune and the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai under the aegis of Film Division, as an endeavour on the part of the Government’s effort to preserve the century old cinematic heritage of the country.

    The meeting also discussed how the Directorate of Film Festival could promote Indian cinema across various cities in the UK and Poland and at the same time give their films a footprint in India.

    The National Film Development Corporation which conducts the Film Bazaar tied up with Marco Muller – Artistic Director, Pingyao International Film Festival, to introduce various initiatives to acclaimed international filmmakers and representatives of various National Bodies from Countries that have an international co-production with India.

    Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar said, “We had very useful discussions centered around two fundamental objectives: how to achieve greater visibility for Indian Cinema worldwide and how to promote India as a destination for foreign movies. Discussions with Directors, Producers and Policy-makers from UK, Italy, Poland Germany and China proved fruitful and a possible road map to increase the global footprint did emerge”.

    The delegates in attendance included Fatih Akin (Director/Producer – Germany);
    Nurhan Sekerci (Producer – Germany); Bady Minck (Director/Producer – Austria/Luxembourg); Simone Gattoni (Director/Producer – Italy); Heather Stewart (Creative Director – British Film Institute; Izabela Kiszka-Hoflik (Head of Film production and Project Development – Polish Film Institute; and Michel Pradier and Marielle Poupelin – Telefilm Canada

    The India Pavilion is organized by the NFDC on behalf of the Ministry and is a fully equipped and functional business centre during this period and provides Indian delegates with an opportunity to meet and conduct business with leading members of the international film fraternity.

    The Pavilion will host knowledge sessions with various filmmakers and also facilitates the publicity of films produced by Indian filmmakers. The Corporation has published an India Guide with details of Indian professionals registered with the Cannes Film Festival & Market.

  • House panel goads changes in film certification, notes under-utilisation of CBFC funds

    NEW DELHI: There is an urgent need to revise the guidelines/Acts/Rules relating to Cinematograph Act 1952 and Cinematograph Certification Rules 1983 in the light of Shyam Benegal Committee Report in view of the increase in number of films, short films, advertisements, documentation being submitted for certification and consequent increase in number of court cases.

    A Parliamentary Committee has said that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry should make its stand clear and initiate the process of bringing amendments in the existing Acts and Rules through involvement of stakeholders.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to MIB said apart from the recommendations of the Shyam Benegal Committee, the Government had not taken any decision on the suggestions of the Parliamentary Committee.

    The Committee of Experts under filmmaker Shyam Benegal had been constituted in January 2016 to evolve broad guidelines/procedures for certification of films within the ambit of provision of Cinematograph Act 1952 and Cinematograph (Certificate) Rules 1983 and it had submitted its Report in June 2016.

    The Parliamentary Committee had also submitted revised guidelines and revised Rules which are being examined by the Ministry.

    The Ministry told the Committee that the recommendations of the Committee require amendments in Acts/Rules and so require further consultation.

    The Committee has been given to understand that the workload of CBFC has increased significantly. There is also a considerable increase in the number of court cases being filed in connection with film certification. The Ministry has issued administrative sanction for two legal consultants one each in Delhi and Mumbai for handling the legal cases of CBFC.

    Meanwhile, the Committee said that the Ministry spent only Rs 20.3 million on upgradation, modernisation and expansion of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and Certification Process up to 31 January 2017 out of a total revised amount of Rs 35.1 million against the budget amount of Rs 40 million.

    With regard to activities undertaken during 2016-17, the Ministry said the work of online certification has been awarded with pre-determined milestone set to be completed by March 2017 and the entire fund available was likely to be utilized by March, 2017.

  • National Cine Museum only if it attracts aficionados: House panel

    NEW DELHI: Noting that the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai is expected to be completed by July this year, a Parliament Committee wants the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to get a response and feedback of the industry as to how far it is successful in attracting film fraternity and also those interested in films, through exhibitions, workshops, seminars and interactive sessions.

    The Museum has been built in the premises of the Films Division complex on C D Deshmukh (Peddar) Road.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to MIB noted that an amount of Rs 286.9 million had been allocated under the Scheme of the Museum which was increased to Rs 343.9 million at revised estimate stage but the Ministry incurred an expenditure of Rs 286.9 million.

    The Committee was informed that the project is near completion and the Ministry was hopeful of utilizing the balance funds during the current financial year 2016-17.

    The budget for the year 2017-18 under the Scheme has been reduced as the construction work has already been completed and curation is underway.

    A historical building Gulshan Mahal has been renovated in the first phase as part of the National Museum project and the second phase of the Museum consisting of two Cinema Halls, Museum office, Exhibition spaces and Food Court are coming up in the new building block.

    When operational, the NMIC will provide a store house of information and help film makers, film students, enthusiasts and critics to know and evaluate the development of cinema as the medium of artistic expression.

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  • Avoid ‘slippages’ of film sector budget utilisation, House panel recommends

    NEW DELHI: While noting the ‘slippages which could have been avoided’, a Parliamentary Committee has taking serious note of the continuous reduction in expenditure in the film sector despite reasonable budgetary allocations.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry asked the Ministry to be “more cautious and take necessary corrective steps so that there are no cost and time over run of Schemes in the film sector”.

    A sum of just Rs 835.6 million out of a reduced revised estimate of Rs 1.3439 billion was utilized in the film sector in 2016-17 because of various reasons including among other reasons the Request for Proposal (RFP) and stakeholder consultation process in the National Film Heritage Mission has resulted in under utilization of funds.

    The Committee was told that the original budget estimate was Rs 1.4148 billion against the proposed Rs 2.4512 billion for the film sector.

    For the shortfall in expenditure, the Ministry also blamed delays in late approval and prolonged inter-ministerial consultations and RFP for selection of private partners in setting up of National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Gaming and Special Effects.

    The Ministry attributed delay in raising Bills for the International Film Festival of Goa and conducting of major film festival during the last quarter to be some of the reasons for under utilization of funds.
     
    The Committee noted that the allocation under film sector has been enhanced from Rs 1.3439 billion at revised estimate stage in 2016-17 to Rs 2.07 billion at budget stage for the year 2017-18.

    The enhanced allocation is to be utilized in respect of Scheme of NFHM where RFP for preventive conservation of film reels, digitization of films, 2K/4K picture and sound restoration of landmark feature films and short films etc are to be floated during 2017-18.

    While expressing satisfaction that the film sector has got an enhanced allocation this year, the Committee said the Ministry should take advantage and give more focused attention to Schemes under this sector and concerted efforts be made for optimum utilization of funds allocated for the year 2017-18.

    Also Read :

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  • Govt admits centralised content monitoring of TV and Radio ‘non-workable’

    NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary Committee has said that it is “unable to comprehend whether the proposal of centralized content monitoring of television and radio is really a non-workable proposition as claimed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry” or because it failed to get tenders.

    In fact, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry has implied that the Ministry has come to this conclusion as the Broadcast Engineering Consultants (India) Ltd (BECIL) which is handling the project “did not receive any valid response to their tenders.

    The Ministry has admitted to the Committee that “real time transition of content from FM and community radio stations to a centralized monitoring facility is challenging in terms of technology and IT infrastructure.”

    The Ministry is therefore in the process of formalizing the complaints redressal mechanism by giving it a statutory status according to the Supreme Court Order of 12 January 2017 which has acknowledged self-regulatory mechanism in addition to complaint based processes.

    BECIL, which is handling the project on turnkey basis, had invited tenders for the setting up of monitoring facility for private FM and CRS which did not receive any valid response. Real time transmission of content from FM and CRS stations across the length and breadth of the country to a centralized monitoring facility is challenging in terms of technology and IT infrastructure in remote areas. The Ministry admitted that the efficacy of such a system is “doubtful due to the information overload”.

    In view of the fact that the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) has so far configured 729 TV channels though it has content acquisition facility for 900 channels. On being asked about the physical targets set under the Scheme for the year 2016-17, the Ministry stated that EMMC aims to configure the remaining 78 TV channels in the existing software set up. The configuration requires technical parameters for Free to Air (FTA) channels while in case of Pay channels it requires broadcasters to provide necessary equipments for downloading and decryption of the content/signal.

    The Committee has been informed that the EMMC and BECIL are coordinating with the industry to obtain technical parameters for configuration of remaining channels.

    The Ministry have said that though the initial target was to achieve monitoring of 1500 channels since 892 channels had been given license till 31st December 2016, the monitoring facility at EMMC is in tune with the number of channels which have been granted permission and the facility would be scaled up if required.

    The Committee note that the budgetary allocation for the Scheme of Strengthening of EMMC was Rs 120 million which was marginally reduced to Rs 116 million at revised estimates stage during the year 2016-17, out of which the Ministry have been able to expend only Rs 74.2 million.

    Explaining this shortfall, the Ministry stated that in order to stagger the deployment of resources commensurate with the likely additional channels that may be approved for uplinking/downlinking, an amount of Rs 20 million was being surrendered.

    While the Committee left “the matter to the wisdom of the Ministry:, it desired that necessary steps are taken in the right direction so that the content monitoring for FM channels and CRS does not suffer and Rs 120 million allocated for the purpose for the financial year 2017-18 is utilized judiciously.

  • DAVP needs more funds to publicise govt schemes

    NEW DELHI:  An allocation of Rs. 1.232 billion has been made at the budget estimate stage for the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) despite its requirement of Rs 1.8 billion for broad themes like financial inclusion, skilling India for youth led development, Swachh Bharat, welfare of farmers etc.

    Noting this, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry recommended that the Ministry should seek adequate funds for the Scheme so that the objectives of this Scheme are met effectively to adequately publicize the broad themes.

    The DAVP was also asked to make “vigorous efforts” to recover the outstanding dues with the Ministries/Departments and asked the Ministry to give priority to local newspapers/periodicals in all its publicity campaigns/advertisements so that vernacular dialect can help local people better understand the important Schemes of the Government.

    DAVP had sought and obtained increased funding for two of its Plan Schemes – “People’s Empowerment through Development Communication” implemented through the DCID Scheme; and “Media Infrastructure Development Programme”.

    Under the Scheme of People’s Empowerment through Development Communication, an allocation of Rs 1.256 billion was made at BE 2016-17, which increased to Rs 1.6968 billion at revised estimates stage. However, only Rs 1.1883 billion was utilized during 2016-17, as the additional funds of Rs 440.9 million had been made available in January 2017 after RE was approved.

    The Committee noted the Government had revised the Print Media Advertisement Policy 2016 with effect from 7 June last year in order to incentivise those newspapers which get their circulation verification from ABC/RNI, have their own printing presses, adopt welfare measures by subscribing their employees to EPF and have better professional standing; and to bring about better transparency and accountability in release of advertisement.

    The Ministry had constituted a three-member Committee on 6 April 2016 to oversee the implementation of Supreme Court guidelines on all forms of Government advertisements released by Central Government, State Governments and UTs.
     
    The Committee stressed that the Ministry should continue with this exercise of weeding out of irregular Newspapers/Magazines in quick interval so that appreciable savings are accrued to the exchequer.

    Media wise expenditure for Financial Years 2014-15 and 2015-16 in r/o Advertisement of various Ministries/Departments routed through DAVP
    (Rs in billion – bn – or million – mn)

    Financial Year
    Print Media
    Audio-Visual
    Printed Publicity
    Outdoor Publicity
    Exhibition
    2014-15
    4.2484 bn
    4.7367 bn
    128 mn
    812.7 mn
    57.6 mn
    2015-16
    5.0822 bn
    5.3160 bn
    157.6 mn
    1.2034 bn
    12.93 mn

     Also Read :

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    Give more funds to DAVP for empowering people: Parliamentary Committee